Ontario's Government for the People is Reducing Wait Times for Mental Health and Addiction Care

News Release

Ontario's Government for the People is Reducing Wait Times for Mental Health and Addiction Care

TORONTO — Ontario's Government for the People is investing in urgently-needed mental health and addiction services and engaging with health care leaders, front line staff and people with lived experiences to address the critical gaps in the province's mental health care system.

Today, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, was at St. Michael's Hospital to announce the first wave of direct mental health and addictions funding which includes adding more than 50 new mental health beds at 12 hospitals across Ontario.

"Ontario's Government for the People is committed to ensure that each dollar goes directly to services that will make a significant difference to patients," said Elliott. "This immediate investment will help lower wait times for those in need of inpatient mental health and addictions treatment."

Today's announcement is part of the government's commitment to invest $3.8 billion over the next 10 years to develop and implement a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions strategy.

Our government is also engaging with health care leaders, subject matter experts, sector partners and associations, health service providers and people with lived experience to identify mental health and addiction needs across the province.

"These discussions will help inform decisions as we move forward with finally building a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions system in Ontario," said Elliott. "Our government is committed to an Ontario where patients don't need to be in crisis to get the mental health and addictions treatment they need, when they need it. We will continue to make mental health a priority and work toward creating an Ontario where everyone is fully supported in their journey toward mental wellness."